Law Office of Sklar & Sklar

Sklar & Sklar is a father and son Riverside County Law Firm located in Palm Springs that was established to provide exceptional legal services to clients in need. At The Law Office of Sklar & Sklar, we offer legal representation in multiple areas of law, including medical malpractice, personal injury, elder abuse, criminal defense, civil/real estate litigation, probate/trust administration & litigation, and estate planning. We pride ourselves on understanding our clients’ unique needs and doing whatever we can to help them successfully resolve their cases and achieve their legal objectives. We have collected millions of dollars on behalf of our injured clients and have a reputation for aggressive legal representation.

Scott and Bryan Sklar have extensive experience in handling the following matters: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Elder Abuse, Estate Planning, Probate, Trust and Criminal Defense. As a smaller boutique firm, we do not accept every case that is referred to our office. By limiting our cases, we can effectively represent our existing clients without spreading our resources too thin thereby dedicating our full resources to winning your case and maximizing your results. We pride ourselves on being hands on, available, and aggressive. Most cases we elect to bring into our office are referred from other attorneys in the community or referrals from past clients. Our reputation means everything. If you have been injured, harmed or wronged, please contact our office so we can discuss your matter with you.

We thank you for viewing our webpage and encourage you to review some of our past case successes and honest testimonials we have received from past satisfied clients.

“I was referred to Sklar & Sklar on a trust matter. Thank goodness! Bryan Sklar could not have been better. We were in trial for 6 weeks, and we won!! Throughout the entire process, Bryan was very open, honest and patient with me. I had a lot of questions and concerns, as you can well imagine. He took all the time needed to help me understand the issues, the processes and the timing of everything. It has been a long road, but through it all, I always knew he was there taking care of me. He is conscientious, making sure everything is done properly and professionally. He communicates when anything happened, so I knew exactly what was going on and what was going to happen. I was treated with respect and kindness, and felt I was part of team trying to get through a difficult time. Bryan is truly a gem. It is my pleasure to write this review, and I would like everyone to know how hard this man works for his clients. You could not be in better hands!”

Scott Sklar was born and raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, New York. As a senior in high school, Scott relocated with his mother to the Los Angeles area. There, Scott met his wife Joan (who he has been married to since 1977) and began his legal career. Scott graduated from UCLA and went on to law school at the San Fernando Valley School of Law. In 1982, Scott was licensed to practice law and begin working in a variety of legal departments throughout his early career in Los Angeles where he has gained valuable experience in areas of Criminal Defense, Complex Civil Litigation, including Real Estate Matters and Personal Injury often involving serious and catastrophic injuries including, but not limited to Wrongful Death.

In 1990, Scott and his family relocated to Palm Springs, California where he has been practicing law since. Scott for many years volunteered his time doing pro bono work for the members of the Cathedral City Senior Center. Since relocating to the Desert area, Scott has earned an outstanding reputation in the Desert Area for his advocacy on behalf of his clients.

In 2007, Bryan joined his father in practice following his graduation and passing the California Bar Exam. Bryan has had the unique experience of being taught constitutional law by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a summer law school program. As a young attorney, Bryan volunteered his time doing pro bono work for members of the Palm Desert Senior Center.

Scott and Bryan value their roles as legal advocates for their clients and meticulously investigate and prepare each client’s unique situation to provide for maximum results. We welcome you to read more about Scott and Bryan by clicking their profile and reviewing their recent case successes and testimonials from prior clients.

Medication Error

Decedent presented to defendant hospital’s emergency room in mild distress with shortness of breath. Decedent did not appear to be acutely ill. Defendant doctor ordered excessive anticoagulation therapy for a presumed massive pulmonary embolism, which did not exist. Patient ultimately died of a cerebral hemorrhage due to over anticoagulation therapy. Domestic Partner, client, brought action against defendant hospital, emergency room physician and hospitalist for wrongful death.

Motorcycle vs. Auto Wrongful Death

Client, a dependent surviving mother, sued a driver in a fatal vehicle accident in Santa Monica, California resulting in the death of her daughter. Client’s daughter was riding her motorcycle on a public street when defendant driver made an illegal u-turn in front of the motorcycle causing motorcycle to broadside the vehicle, killing Client’s daughter.

Case Result: Seven Figure Settlement.

Challenge to Caretakers Gifts

Clients, relatives of a wealthy elderly single man who passed away (“Decedent”), filed a lawsuit against two hired caretakers for undue influence under Probate Code Section 21380. Decedent was an elder as defined in Welfare and Institutions Code § 15610.27, and was a dependent adult as defined in Probate Code § 21366 and Welfare and Institutions Code § 15610.23. Decedent was primarily bedridden during the approximate last year of his life. Decedent was physically handicapped, unable to walk or ambulate, and required a wheel chair or other assistive devices. Furthermore, Decedent was dependent on and required the help of hired care custodians to provide health or social services to Settlor, including, but not limited to: grocery shopping, banking, travel, assistance with finances, medication administration, cooking and household cleaning, among other things. Client’s sought to invalidate provision of an amendment in Decedent’s trust which provided 50% of the residue of a trust to go to his caretakers. This amendment was executed by Decedent approximately four months before Decedent’s death. The estimated value of this 50% interest in Decedent’s trust was approximately $1,000,000.00.

Case Result: Judgment against Caretaker #1, whose interest in the trust was terminated. Nominal settlement with Caretaker #2 which provided the vast majority of challenged assets to pass to the family.

No Jail Time, Felony Charges Reduced

Client was charged with Infliction of Corporal Injury on a Spouse (Felony) and Assault with a deadly weapon (non-firearm) or by force to cause great bodily Injury (PC 273.5 and 245(A)(1)). Client facing State Prison term.

Case Result: All counts were dismissed, and client pled to a PC415 Infraction for Offensive or Loud Noise.